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Nutella Flakey Swirls

I had a great time reading all your comments for yesterday's post. You folks really made me laugh with some of your ideas and thoughts. It just confirms my belief that besides being suckers for something sweet, you always make me feel good. I love spending time with you.

I'll cut the suspense as I know everyone has been eagerly awaiting these Nutella treats. Actually these treats were my bribe ... er ... barter treats for Soeren!

Yes, sneaky mummies have to have something up there sleeves to bribe barter with their kids. As 6 year olds have no notion about money, we have to bribe barter with other creative methods and means. My son's weakness is Nutella and I know if I want him to do something for me I just have to walk around the house with a jar of Nutella.

It's a bit like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, only my pipe is the jar of Nutella and instead of rats I have my son following me in a trance. I will then turn around look a bit startled and ask if he wants anything. A vigorous nod and a point at the Nutella jar is all I get.

"Oh this! I was thinking of making some little treats with Nutella." The eyes begin twinkling and I know I have him where I want him.

"Tell you what, I'll make these in the kitchen and you go and ... (insert anything that needs to be done!). When you're done we can enjoy them with some milk!"

Before the sentence is even completed he has run up the flight of stairs to complete his chore. I shake my head and think if only I had done this 2 weeks ago!!

Who can resist such creamy, chocolaty and nutty decadence ...

I have my trouble too so I totally understand Soeren.

Do I feel guilty using Nutella to bribe barter? No not really! Simply because it works and because we both get what we want. Sometimes mummies just need to use their sneaky trick box and only the mummies in the house will be nodding their heads!

This particular chore was difficult for Soeren, I knew that. For the past 2 weeks I have been asking him to sort out his HUGE box of matchbox cars and all his games. Three piles for each: "Keep", "Donate" and "Trash" - part of our Radical Clean Out I told you about in this post. It was hard for me to part with a few items so I only knew too well how he was feeling.

After two weeks of cajoling I decided to dig into my sneaky trick box to motivate him a little. I pulled out these flakey and crumbly shortcrust pastry swirls filled with delicious Nutella and sprinkled with a touch of cinnamon.

To make the shortcrust pastry mix the flour and butter in a bowl using your finger tips, till the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs with no large lumps of butter remaining. Work quickly so that the mixture does not become greasy.

Make a well in the middle and pour in the cold water. Using a knife, begin stirring in the flour and bind into a smooth dough.
The perfect consistency of the dough can be easily tested: take a bit of dough between your fingers and press together. When the piece does not stick to your fingers you will have to add another tablespoon water. If the dough is too dry it will rip and crumble when rolled. On the other hand if it is too sticky it will shrink while baking.
Using your hands gather the dough into a ball - do not knead!

Alternatively you can easily make the dough using a food processor: Put the flour, butter and salt in the food processor and pulse until the fat is rubbed into the flour.
With the motor running, gradually add the water through the funnel until the dough comes together. Only add enough water to bind it and then stop.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for 15-20 minutes before using.

Place the dough between two sheets of baking paper and roll out into a 30 cm x 40 cm rectangle. Do not roll the dough back and forth but more from the inner center to the outer edges.

For the filling take the warm and soft Nutella and pour over the shortcrust pastry rectangle. Spread evenly with a metal spatula, leaving about 5 cm around the edge bare.

Sprinkle with some ground cinnamon.

Beginning at the long end of the rectangle, tightly roll up the dough like a newspaper, forming a 40-cm-long log.

Using the beaten egg brush the edge and pinch together so that it is sealed properly.

Using a sharp knife cut approx. 12 individual rolls. Transfer each roll onto the baking sheet and brush generously with the remaining egg. Sprinkle with some Muscovado sugar.

Bake the Nutella swirls for 30-40 minutes until golden and flakey. Allow to cool on a rack before serving.

Serving Tips:

You can sprinkle, raisins, dried cranberries or dried cherries for a chewy bite or add pecans, pistachios or walnuts for crunchier rolls on top of the Nutella layer.

If cinnamon is not your spice, you can also use cardamom, nutmeg or allspice too.

Tastes great with honey milk or a good cup of tea.

Verdict

These swirls helped in two ways: Soeren sorted out all his cars, books and games and when he was done, I was right there with these Nutella filled swirls to comfort any parting sorrow. We had time together over these Nutella treats and a glass of milk to talk about the who would get the donations and about the future. He is a strong boy and takes everything in good stride and if there is a bit of uneasiness treats like these always help.

They are flakey, wonderfully chocolaty and the hint of cinnamon adds a perfect highlight. Soeren loves dunking them in his milk, while I enjoy them in their lovely flakiness.

62 comments:

Oh, Meeta! These swirls sound wonderful. Soeren is a lucky fela:) These little treasures make me think of my childhood in Europe. Nutella doesn't seem to be very popular here in Canada. Unfortunaltely.

Perfect fodder to perk you up after having to get rid of things, whether you're young or old.

We'd agreed to get rid of lots of stuff too this year and a blessing in disguise came last week when we had a burst pipe that leaked through our kitchen ceiling. It meant taking everything out of our attic so that the floor could come up. Though it's now all scattered around downstairs we're getting rid of so much stuff. I'm finding it very therapeutic. Well done to Soeren for being so grown up about it. xx

Oh Meeta these look so good.. not just Soere, even I would follow you to your pipe, if I got to eat these:-)I hear your bribing part... doing it all the time with mine!! & it works, both parties are happy.

Wow this looks so super delicious.Thewhole plate is just calling me for eating those delicious swrills.Yo can bribe me any time for these.I am a real sucker for nutella.I made you chocolate mousse and it was so delicious, thankyou for a wondrful recipe posted today in my placehttp://mykitchentreasures.blogspot.com/2009/02/mousse-au-chocolat.html

Those look evil Meeta! I wish I could sneak that whole plate out of here! And that huge jar of nutella looks precious, cute pic of Soeren :P Now I know why my apt looks like a mess, no body promised to make me these treats,hmph!

Mmmm these look delicious. I wish I could have one right now with my morning coffee. A decadent Saturday brunch for us often involves nutella ricotta stuffed pancakes...your mango nutella pancakes look yummy too!

Lovely! We ate "knäckebrot" to finish off our bottle of almost empty and almost forgotten Nutella.

And no, I don't feel guilty either!Sunny boy just needs one or two gummy bears so far. I guess, with growing age things would change, he is going to be 4. :)But, that was really a tough job you assigned Soeren, though.

Beautiful and delicious! Kids love Nutella and this is great way to enjoy it :)We must take you as example and sort out our things as well... every year we are growing in more more items. I do give things to charity from time to time, but mostly clothes. I think it is time to clear the rest of the house as well ;)

Okay - which chores would I have to do for those? They look so delicious, but I have to admit that I would do an even better job for one of those spoons in the great picture (a filled one that is of course ;-) ).

who doesnt like nutella...i myself love it....and children they just can do anything for it.....:)its really not sneaky meeta....I m sure all moms agree with this method to get somethings done from our kids.....haha!its very clever i think! as always gorgeous snaps....gurl i need new words to describe ur fantastic fotos!

Meeta, what a great idea thanks for sharing it!! I love your recipes but I'm also a little lazy so for this one I just skipped the dough prep and used some store bought frozen pastry sheets, thawed them and then rolled them up with Nutella and slivered almonds. Quite a hit!! :)

I like this recipe. these nutella flakey swirls are sure to taste great and are extremely nutritious as well. I am going to make it for the holidays when my kids will be at home. I'll be sure that what they are eating is healthy. thank you for shearing your post.

Thank you for visiting What's For Lunch, Honey? and taking time to browse through my recipes, listen to my ramblings and enjoy my photographs. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. I will answer your questions to my best knowledge and respond to your comments as soon as possible.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy your stay here and that I was able to make this an experience for your senses.

Hello, I am Meeta a freelance food photographer, stylist and writer living in the cuturally rich city of Weimar, Germany with my husband and our son, where I enjoy preparing multi-cultural home cooked meals with fresh organic ingredients. What's for lunch, Honey? is my award winning food blog where I combine my love for food with my love for photography and styling...